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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

ATOMIC POWER PLANT

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4304883

This patent relates to neutronic reactor power plants and discloses a design of a reactor utilizing a mixture of discrete units of a fissionable material, such as uranium carbide, a neutron moderator material, such as graphite, to carry out the chain reaction. A liquid metal, such as bismuth, is used as the coolant and is placed in the reactor chamber with the fissionable and moderator material so that it is boiled by the heat of the reaction, the boiling liquid and vapors passing up through the interstices between the discrete units. The vapor and flue gases coming off the top of the chamber are passed through heat exchangers, to produce steam, for example, and thence through condensers, the condensed coolant being returned to the chamber by gravity and the non- condensible gases being carried off through a stack at the top of the structure.

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-12-007020
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 2812303
OSTI ID:
4304883
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English